Faculty Opinions recommendation of Multiple kinesin motors coordinate cytoplasmic RNA transport on a subpopulation of microtubules in Xenopus oocytes.
Year: 2012
Type: peer-review
Abstract: RNA localization is a widely conserved mechanism for generating cellular asymmetry.In Xenopus oocytes, microtubule-dependent transport of RNAs to the vegetal cortex underlies germ layer patterning.Although kinesin motors have been implicated in this process, the apparent polarity of the microtubule cytoskeleton has pointed instead to roles for minus end-directed motors.To resolve this issue, we have analyzed participation of kinesin motors in vegetal RNA transport and identified a direct role for Xenopus kinesin-1.Moreover, in vivo interference and biochemical experiments reveal a key function for multiple motors, specifically kinesin-1 and kinesin-2, and suggest that these motors may interact during transport.Critically, we have discovered a sub-population of microtubules with plus ends at the vegetal cortex, supporting roles for these kinesin motors in vegetal RNA transport.These results provide a new mechanistic basis for understanding directed RNA transport within the cytoplasm.
Author: Roy Long
Institution: Medical College of Wisconsin
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4206399833